FLOWERS AFTER 5

Relax on Thursday evenings mid-May through October at Flowers After 5, our live music series featuring a diverse mix of local and regional acts held in the Grace Arents Garden, adjacent to historic Bloemendaal House.

Performances run from 5-8 p.m. with a brief intermission.

Select Thursday nights are also Fidos After 5 evenings when the Garden partners with the Richmond SPCA and leashed dogs are allowed.

Current Fidos Nights: May 28, June 11, June 25, Jul. 23, Aug. 13, Sep. 24, Oct. 8

Outside food and drink are not allowed to be brought into the Garden. See food and bar menu below.

2026 Flowers After 5 Line Up

BOBBY BAINE
JUNE 18

Playing an acoustic mix of contemporary and classic rock, country, pop, and alternative music from the 70s to the present.

PORTICO
JUNE 25

Portico is a Richmond-based band playing songs across genres and decades with their own alt-rock meets blues-pop vibe. Members are Ali Foley Shenk, vocals, flute, keys, and rhythm guitar; Elliot Johnson, vocals and lead guitar; Aaron Jonas, bass; and Adam Powell, drums.

This is a Fidos after 5 night!
Please refer to our Pet Policy for our guidelines.

 

HOT PANTS
JULY 7

HOTPANTS is an Americana rock band from Richmond, Virginia. Their songs blend southern sass with northern attitude, folk sweetness with classic rock punch, and leave listeners both energized and somehow understood. Founded by singer-songwriter, Mackenzie Roark, Hotpants has taken a life of its own during its 3 year evolution. From playing shows all over the mid-Atlantic, to winning Floydfest’s “On-the-Rise” Competition in 2024, to self-producing their ensemble debut, “Ghost of Rock and Roll” in 2025, Hotpants has been cooking with gas for a while now, and have no plans to stop. Described by RnR Magazine as “one of America’s finest and least formulaic Americana combos”, HOTPANTS is devoted to continuing the DIY dream in Richmond and beyond by creating real, heartfelt music and performing electrifying shows.

THE BLISTERED HEARTS
JULY 16

The Blistered Hearts play a mix of old school country, bluegrass and rock. Melding the sweet vocals of Alicia Longley, with the soulful keys of Paul Bland and the funky bass notes of Tony dePhillip to create a unique sound of all your favorite classics. Led by guitarist Blake Montgomery and Mike Menendez’s ever steady drums, the band’s combination of originals and covers are sure to get you up and dancing.

TIN CAN FISH BAND
JULY 23

“Tin Can Fish Band combines several genres of music to form their own Americana Folk Rock & Roots sound. Reminiscent of such bands as Railroad Earth, The Band and Bob Dylan, TCFB layers traditional acoustic instruments with soaring electric leads on evocative originals, select covers & public domain songs. They have released 4 CD’s and they perform throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia at various festivals and venues.” They come from several various bands from Richmond’s rich local music history and have now been playing together for 12 years with the current lineup. You can find them on Facebook @tincanfishband

 

KURT CRANDALL
AUGUST 6

Kurt Crandall shines like a diamond, mixing Windy City blues, West Coast swing, jazz and more – showing why experts consider him to be one of the most stylish chromatic players in the world today.

RAMONA & THE HOLY SMOKES
AUGUST 13

Based in Central Virginia and with family roots in South Texas, Ramona and the Holy Smokes represent a new generation of honky tonk music. With powerful female vocals that cover an emotional range from determined to comic to vulnerable, and a talented backing band steeped in classic country and western styles of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the band exhibits a “clarity and sincerity that bring Patsy Cline to mind” (Nashville Scene, 2025). Fronted by Ramona Martinez, whose songwriting has earned her recognition from Wide Open Country as one of the “15 Latino Artists Shaping Country Music,” this Charlottesville, Virginia-based band is rooted in the traditional sounds of country music but unafraid of pushing boundaries and highlighting the connections across border cultures. They have appeared at several Americana festivals including Red Wing Roots (2024), Rooster Walk (2025), and Bristol Rhythm & Roots (2025), and has opened for touring artists like Margo Cilker, Colby Acuff, Willi Carlisle, Redd Volkaert, Joshua Hedley, Donna the Buffalo, and Kashus Culpepper. Their self-produced debut album, Ramona and the Holy Smokes, a collection of original songs about heartache and resiliency, was released on September 26.

THE DAN SCHUTT BAND
AUGUST 20

The Dan Schutt Band is a rock’n’roll, reggae, beach music, and funky dance band from Richmond, Virginia. They perform a high-energy mix of Top-40 songs you know and love by artists like Bob Marley, Sting, Grateful Gead, Steel Pulse, Big Mountain, Sublime, Al Green, Bill Withers, and so much more! The Dan Schutt Band has performed all over Virginia over the last 10 years, has built an enthusiastic and loyal fan-base in the Greater Richmond Area, and continues to keep crowds grooving year after year at venues like The Tobacco Company Restaurant, “Reggae Sundays” at The Lily Pad, and “Flowers after 5” concert series at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Music, videos, and upcoming shows can be found using this link.

THE POLLOCKS
AUGUST 27

The Pollocks is a rock n roll band, blending blues, folk, rock and a touch of psychedelia into an original, yet familiar style. With two electric guitars, and three part harmony, Jason Pollock (vocals, guitar), Thomas Gunn (vocals, guitar), Maryline Meyer-Pollock (vocals, tambourine), Nathan West (drums) and Randy Mendicino (bass) deliver stirring, and inspiring renditions of their original compositions. Jason was the main songwriter for the band Seven Mary Three, penning such hits as “Cumbersome” and “Water’s Edge” in the 1990s. The Pollocks have been performing together for more than ten years, and the joyful spirit of fellowship and musical communion are an integral part of each of their concerts.

ABRAMS BRIDGE
SEPTEMBER 3

Abrams Bridge provides the ultimate live experience of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, providing fans with the energy and passion Bruce commits to every show!  The band covers the biggest hits from “Dancing in the Dark” to “Hungry Heart” to “Born to Run” and all of the live staples like “Rosalita”, “Badlands” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”.  What would a Springsteen tribute be without fan favorites such as “The Rising”, “Bobby Jean” or “Blinded by the Light”?

Based out of Richmond, VA, Abrams has learned over 60 of Springsteen’s songs to feature in their 3 hour shows. So come tell everyone to meet us at the ‘spot beneath Abrams Bridge’ to feel the heart-stopping, hard-rocking, booty-shaking, earth-quaking

MICHAEL HAZELWOOD AND THE FREIGHT TRAIN FIVE
SEPTEMBER 10

Michael Hazelwood and The Freight Train Five are Central Virginia’s hottest classic country band! Cranking all the best 90’s country from Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and George Strait – they also play your favorite old-school hits from Cash, Jones and Waylon – as well as today’s hottest songs from Combs, Pardi, and Swindell!
Formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 2022, Michael Hazelwood and The Freight Train Five recruited the area’s best players to create the most exciting, danceable country show in the region. They have received rave reviews from club owners, private parties, and community events.
Grab your dancin’ boots, and get ready to have a fun-filled, super fantastic show with Michael Hazelwood and The Freight Train Five: Central Virginia’s hottest classic country band!

THE SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
SEPTEMBER 24

The Significant Others is a rock band that serves up a potent party cocktail. For 10+ years, from New York to Florida, the band has honed its rare chemistry, one that blends an eclectic list of songs, a love of playing music with each other, and a healthy pour of incredible live energy. The mix is strong, one that unifies both band and crowd in a single common cause: getting people up for getting down.
The Significant Others bring a powerful and positive energy to every event. They play the new stuff (Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Leon Bridges), the old stuff (Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Bill Withers), and everything in between (Talking Heads, David Bowie, The Spice Girls, The Cure, The Cranberries, Prince, The Pointer Sisters – and so much more). Through inventive arrangements, tight medleys, and danceable grooves, the band turns each and every performance into an event – YOUR event.
From charismatic and dynamic vocalists (David and Victoria), to tasty lead guitar (Nate), to blazing saxophone (Chet), to a bumping rhythm section (Chris – bass, Scott – drums), the band fires on all cylinders. With unique stage decor, tasteful production, spot-on harmonies, and always a touch of levity, The Significant Others deliver a unique approach with universal appeal – every gig, every time.

VEXINE
OCTOBER 1

VEXINE is a 4-piece band based in Richmond, VA . They describe their original music as “southern rock noir”. Formed in 2012, the group features front woman Sarah Frances Santamaria on vocals, Paul Pearce on lead guitar and vocals, Michael Skiffington on bass, and Jorge Santamaria on drums.
Vexine’s most recent release entitled “the light and the dark in everything” was released on vinyl and digitally in December 2025 on the Shockoe Records label.

WHISKEY REBELLION
OCTOBER 8

Skillful picking and expert three-part harmonies are just part of what you can expect from the Whiskey Rebellion, who have been plying their brand of high-energy acoustic music across the Southeast (and as far west as the Pacific Ocean) for the last eight years. The band has recorded two regionally-acclaimed original albums, shared the stage with the Sam Bush Band and Carolina Chocolate Drops, and had their 2011 tour of the Pacific Northwest captured by filmmaker Tony Morin for a forthcoming concert film & documentary. Drawing on their diverse musical backgrounds, The Whiskey Rebellion mix the spontaneity of bluegrass, the collectiveness of jazz, and the urgency of rock and roll to create their own unique take on everything from traditional bluegrass to anthemic party favorites. The band covers a wide array of artists ranging from The Beatles to The Talking Heads to Guns ‘n’ Roses, but their approach is always steeped in their acoustic roots and uniquely lends itself to being both listenable and danceable.

The Whiskey Rebellion consists of the finest bluegrass gentlemen in the business, and offer several smaller configurations to suit small or quiet events. Regardless of the type of event you’re booking Whiskey Rebellion for, rest assured that you’re getting a band that Richmond.com called “the best thing to happen to Americana since 1776.”

JACKASS FLATS
OCTOBER 15

This ultra-talented Virginia quintet comes from a long-standing bluegrass tradition but creates a wholly original sound by weaving their melting pot of acoustic roots music with the sounds of electric rock’n’roll. Jackass Flats works their magic across all genres, combining a unique blend of jam band rhythms with twangy versions of contemporary hits that can elevate any event into a unique, rousing experience. They bring crowds to their feet with an astonishing array of party classics from traditional Bluegrass, Country, Classic Rock, Soul, R&B, Pop music and beyond. Expect a repertoire that runs the gamut from Johnny Cash to The Beatles, Willie Nelson to Prince, Smokey Robinson to The Rolling Stones, all delivered with warm southern charm and infectious energy.
From formal affairs to down-home occasions, Jackass Flats has the look, feel and sound that spans generations, brings family and friends to the dance floor and puts big smiles on wedding guests and wedding planners alike. Honing their sound in the Richmond VA scene, Jackass Flats combines the traditional approach of interwoven harmonies and strings and a ‘newgrass’ frame of mind. In their early days, Jackass Flats won the Virginia State Bluegrass Championship and Best Americana Band at the Virginia Music Awards. This band is a true phenomenon with a long history of wowing crowds, pleasing event planners and helping turn memorable moments into unforgettable funky southern good times!

HOLY RIVER
OCTOBER 22

Høly River is a duo crafting a genre they call “earth folk”, rooted in environmental reverence and focusing on themes of nature, spirituality and the human experience. Harmonium rich melodies, soaring vocals and worldly instrumentation create the ethereal pop soundscape Holy River weaves together. Mystically political and wholeheartedly grassroots, this DIY band finds themselves playing on large festival stages as well as backyard fire pits of intentional communities around the world. When home in Richmond Virginia, band members Laney Sullivan and Jameson Price are known as activists, artists and community organizers running art spaces, a weekly food pantry, and a community garden as well as helping to organize festivals across the region.

Admission & Weather Policy

Admission to this event is regular Garden admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Guest Services desk in the Robins Visitors Center.

Members enjoy free admission; not a member? Consider joining.

Garden hours are extended until 9p.m. on Flowers After 5 nights, so be sure to take time to explore the Garden and check out our rotating exhibitions in the Community Art Gallery. The Garden Shop may also offer extended hours.

Flowers After 5 is rain or shine. The Garden Staff monitors the weather closely and if there is a high likelihood of hazardous weather during Flowers After 5, the event will be cancelled. We post weather-related updates as quickly as possible to the website and social media, and it’s always a good idea to check before you come.

FIDOS AFTER 5

The Garden partners with the Richmond SPCA on these special nights (only). Starting May 28 leashed dogs are allowed to attend Flowers after 5 on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Suggested $2 “pet admission” benefits Richmond SPCA.

All dogs must be leashed (no retractable leashes) and current on rabies vaccinations. Please Note: We welcome dogs in the Robins Visitor Center and Conservatory, but ask that they not enter the Kelly Education Center building. Please read our rules and guidelines for visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with dogs.

Leashed dogs are allowed on Fidos nights only.

Before attending Fidos after Five with your dog, it’s important to understand what your dog tolerates and will enjoy. Ask yourself:

  • How does my dog handle being in a new environment?
  • How does my dog react to close proximity to unfamiliar people and dogs of various sizes?

– All dogs must have a current rabies vaccine.
– Retractable leashes are not permitted. Flat leashes will be available to borrow from the Richmond SPCA’s table in the Robins Visitor Center.

  • An adult must maintain control of the dog’s leash at all times.
  • Please ask before approaching or allowing your dog to approach an unfamiliar dog.
  • All dogs must be well-behaved; the Garden reserves the right to determine whether an owner and pet may be asked to leave, based on guest safety.

Please Note: We welcome dogs in the Robins Visitors Center and Conservatory, but ask that they not enter the Kelly Education Center building.

Leashed dogs are allowed on Fidos nights only. Ticketed event; $2 suggested “pet admission” benefiting the Richmond SPCA

Richmond SPCA logo

Food & Drink

Guests are welcome to bring chairs and blankets to spread out on the lawn, and there are a limited number of chairs and tables available on a first-come, first served basis.

PLEASE NOTE: Outside food and drink are not allowed to be brought into the Garden.

Food and drinks are available for purchase from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the concert site, under Bloemendaal House tent.

Our weekly menus

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BBQ Sandwich $13
Choice of Protein, House Chips, Coleslaw, BBQ Sauce

Southern Bowl $13
Choice of Protein, Mac and Cheese, Braised Collard Greens, Coleslaw

Gyro $13
Choice of Protein, Pita, Feta, Pickled Cucumber and Onions, Tomato, Crisp Romaine, Fresh Mint Smoky Tzatziki

Medi Bowl $13
Choice of Protein, Feta, Basmati Rice, Tabbouleh Salad, Crisp Romaine, Mini Naan, Fresh Mint, Smoky Tzatziki

Taco Salad $13
Choice of Protein, Shredded Cheese, Crisp Romaine, Pico De Gallо, Elote Corn Salad, Cilantro, Crispy Tortilla, Black Beans, Avocado Crema

Burrito $13
Choice of Protein, Queso, Spanish Rice, Pico De Gallo, Black Beans, Crisp Romaine

Cheeseburger $10
Topped with Lettuce and Tomato served with Potato Salad

Veggie Burger $10
Topped with Lettuce and Tomato served with Potato Salad

2 Hot Dogs $10
Served with Potato Salad